Best Credit Card For Instacart in 2026

Other Options to Consider

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Prime Visa

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Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card

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How to Choose a Credit Card for Instacart

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Using the right credit card for your Instacart purchases is a simple way to maximize rewards on your grocery spending and unlock valuable perks.

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When choosing a card, it's easy to get distracted by a high rewards rate or a big welcome bonus, but it's crucial to look at the bigger picture. Make sure to consider factors like annual fees, spending caps on bonus categories, and whether the card's benefits truly align with your lifestyle to avoid leaving value on the table.

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Key Factors

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• Rewards on Instacart purchases: Look for a card that offers a high rewards rate on categories like online groceries or delivery services, as Instacart purchases often fall into one of these.
• Annual fee: Weigh the card's annual fee against the value of its rewards and benefits to ensure you're coming out ahead.
• Welcome offer: A strong welcome offer can provide a large initial return, but be sure you can meet the spending requirements without overextending your budget.
• Spending caps: Pay attention to any limits on how much you can earn in bonus categories, as this can affect your total rewards if you're a big spender.
• Redemption flexibility: Consider how you can use your points or cash back. Flexible rewards that can be redeemed for travel, statement credits, or direct deposits offer more versatility.
• Instacart+ membership credits: Some cards offer complimentary Instacart+ memberships or statement credits that can cover the cost, providing direct savings on delivery and service fees.

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What to Watch Out For

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One major pitfall is assuming your Instacart orders will automatically qualify for a card's 'grocery' bonus category; these transactions are sometimes coded as 'delivery services' or another classification, which may earn a lower rate. It's also crucial to look beyond a flashy rewards rate and ensure the annual fee doesn't eclipse the actual value you'll get from your typical Instacart spending.

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Decision Flow

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• If your main goal is to maximize rewards on every Instacart order, then focus on premium cards that offer high bonus rates for online groceries or delivery services. While these often carry an annual fee, the value from rewards and additional perks can easily outweigh the cost for frequent users.
• If you prefer a straightforward approach without an annual fee, seek out a card that provides elevated rewards on groceries or online shopping. You might not get the absolute highest rate, but you'll earn rewards without the pressure of justifying a yearly cost.
• If you're a loyal Instacart user looking for direct savings, prioritize cards that come with a complimentary Instacart+ membership or statement credits toward Instacart purchases. This benefit provides immediate value by reducing or eliminating delivery and service fees.
• If you're a traveler who wants to turn groceries into getaways, opt for a card that earns flexible points in a major travel rewards program. This allows you to transfer your earnings to airline and hotel partners, often unlocking significantly more value than simple cash back.
• If Instacart is just one piece of your spending puzzle, consider a versatile card that rewards you well across multiple categories. A card with strong earnings on dining and transit in addition to groceries, or a simple flat-rate card that offers a solid return on every purchase, might be the most efficient choice for your overall budget.

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Maximize Your Return with Instacart

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To get the most value out of every order, here are some strategies for maximizing your credit card rewards on Instacart:

• Choose the right card: Select a credit card that offers a high rewards rate on grocery stores, online shopping, or dining, as Instacart purchases can sometimes code in one of these categories.
• Stack your rewards: Pair your credit card earnings with an Instacart+ membership, which can provide benefits like reduced service fees and free delivery on certain orders, to increase your overall savings.
• Leverage welcome offers: Use your regular Instacart spending to help meet the minimum spend requirement for a new card’s welcome offer, which can provide a substantial influx of points or cash back.
• Activate quarterly bonuses: If you have a card with rotating bonus categories, be sure to activate and use it when grocery delivery or online retail is a featured category for the quarter.
• Redeem wisely: For maximum flexibility, consider redeeming your rewards for cash back or a statement credit to directly lower your grocery bill, or transfer them to a travel partner if it yields a higher value.

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Supercharge your Rewards with Kudos

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Kudos is a free app that automatically selects your highest-earning credit card at checkout, helping the average user earn up to $750 more in rewards per year. Get started for free

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Other Things to Consider

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Beyond just rewards rates, consider your broader shopping habits. If you frequently order from a specific supermarket on Instacart, a co-branded store credit card might offer superior returns for that particular chain. However, regardless of the card you choose, it's crucial to manage your spending responsibly. The high interest rates on credit card debt can easily wipe out any cash back or points you accumulate. Remember that credit cards aren't your only option; using cash or debit ensures you stay within your budget, while Instacart's "buy now, pay later" plans can be an alternative if managed carefully to avoid late fees.

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Our Methodology

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We evaluate nearly 3,000 credit cards across the U.S. market — far more than the ~150 cards commonly featured on sites that focus only on products tied to affiliate commissions. Our goal is to provide a comprehensive, unbiased view of the credit card landscape so you can make confident, data-driven decisions.

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Our editorial team combines deep industry experience with rigorous verification standards. While our experts surface the most relevant recommendations in our guides, you can also explore the full dataset yourself through our card explorer tool, which includes thousands of cards — more than 95% of which do not provide us with commissions.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Does Instacart count as a grocery store for credit card rewards?

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It depends on how the credit card issuer codes the transaction. Some cards categorize Instacart as a grocery purchase, while others may classify it as a delivery service, so it's best to check with your card issuer.

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Are there any credit cards that partner directly with Instacart?

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Yes, Instacart offers co-branded credit cards, like the Instacart Mastercard®, that provide specific perks and elevated rewards for shopping on the platform. These cards typically offer the highest earning rates for your Instacart orders.

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Should I add my credit card to Instacart or use a digital wallet?

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Both methods are secure, but using a digital wallet like Apple Pay or Google Pay can add an extra layer of security by tokenizing your card number. It also makes checking out faster across different apps and websites.

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